Trooper of the MonthJanuary 2009

Congratulations to Trooper Jason King for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for January 2009, for his actions during three separate incidents in a single month.

On January 16, 2009, Trooper King responded to a call of a reckless driver on State Road 20 in Liberty County. Upon observation of the suspect’s vehicle, he followed it, watching the vehicle cross over the white line three times. Trooper King stopped the driver. After gaining consent to search the vehicle, Trooper King found a loaded handgun under the passenger’s seat, along with 1.8 grams of marijuana, and an assortment of prescription pills. The suspect was charged with possession of a loaded firearm in the commission of a felony, five counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one count of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.

On January 23, 2009, Trooper King responded to another call of a reckless driver. He clocked the vehicle at 53 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. After stopping the driver, he noticed the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During his search, Trooper King found a brown bag shaped like a football on the passenger seat. The bag contained 47 grams of marijuana, rolling papers, scissors, and two marijuana blunts. He arrested the driving. After looking in the suspect’s right front pocket, Trooper King found a metal pipe shaped and colored to look like a cigarette. The suspect was charged with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, and speeding, and was taken to the Liberty County Jail.

The next day, Trooper King and Trooper Ronny Snipes learned of a break in at a residence in Liberty County. Since they were close by, they responded to the address along with Liberty County Sheriff’s deputies. The residence was searched, but no one was found. Among the items found was a loaded handgun. Trooper King and the others learned that the burglary suspect was seen behind some apartments nearby, so they responded to the area. They were told by two women that the suspect had gone into the woods. The troopers and deputies approached the woods, finding the suspect coming out of the woods carrying a gray plastic bag in one hand and a beer can in another. The suspect was ordered to get down on the ground. After several commands, the suspect took three steps toward them and dropped to the ground. He was taken into custody. Inside the bag was a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 handgun and a pink daisy BB gun. The subject was turned over to the Liberty County Sheriff’s office where he was charged with armed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and grand theft of a firearm.

Trooper King is to be commended for his actions and his commitment to the safety of the people of Florida. Congratulations for being selected Trooper of the Month for January 2009.